Range recommendation

Initiate Joined: May 29, 2007 Posts: 30

Colonel wrote:

The quick fix for making any blackened or blued sight more readily visible comes from Birchwood Casey.

Good call... fixed it up and for 6 bucks lol put one more coat on after the photos and very nice quick and easy sighting on black or dark targets

but now im starting to see a littler surface rust ont he outer barrel sense i have shot it. I cleaned it and oiled it up nicely but thinking of trying out the coating birchwood sells as well.

Corporal Joined: May 21, 2007 Posts: 315

The rust preventatives from Birchwood Casey and Gibb's work well enough, but there's a product from Flitz you might try. Flitz Rifle and Gun Wax. For about 10 bucks, a three ounce bottle goes a long way! Good stuff to put on blued or Parkerized firearms before going out into wet weather, or before long term storage. It has replaced Rennaisance wax on my swords, edged weapons and armor. My blades live in their scabbards, (a real no-no) with no ill effect. Two stands of armor have yet to show any oxidation after 2 years! Happy to be of help, any questions, any time........Colonel

Private Joined: Feb 20, 2007 Posts: 281

Is that your AK or M1 Rifle?

Corporal Joined: May 21, 2007 Posts: 315

Forgot to mention, good job on that front sight, and great pictures on that posting! Definately worth a thousand words. That shade of green reminds me of Chi-Com or Russkie tracers. (we use the pretty orange and red ones !).........Colonel

Initiate Joined: May 29, 2007 Posts: 30

Suburbangunslinger wrote:

Is that your AK or M1 Rifle?

my AK. I think the sides of the front sights on a m1 curve away from the post or are straight not 100% sure

Colonel wrote:

Forgot to mention, good job on that front sight, and great pictures on that posting! Definately worth a thousand words. That shade of green reminds me of Chi-Com or Russkie tracers. (we use the pretty orange and red ones !).........Colonel

TY. yeah was actually about to order the red off thier site(figured it might be the choice color given the rifle lol) but I stopped at a local gun shop to check out some rifle clases and they actually had some of the green in stock so I grabbed it.

Private Joined: Feb 20, 2007 Posts: 281

That's a nice AK, the one's I saw at Gat guns looked like they had come out of a sewer.

Initiate Joined: May 29, 2007 Posts: 30

seen a few like that but alot of nice ones out there too. I never looked at the ones at gat, but i did buy my hk from there lol funny thing is my ak cost about half of what my hk did befor taxes lol.

Newbie Joined: Jun 15, 2006 Posts: 8

I shoot what the !@#$ I want to shoot in my back yard, and bazillion, my M4 has never jammed.

Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 1:20 pm

Daddgonemadd, You say you shoot what you want in your backyard. I've got to ask, do you live in Southern Illinois? Reason I ask is that I and 3 neighbors all shoot on our own property. I've got a friend in the area who has his own "range" as well. I've joked that "you may be from southern Illinois if you have a shooting range in your backyard."

Newbie Joined: Feb 20, 2006 Posts: 11

To the original post: You and your weapons would be welcome at the Indiana DNR ranges. There's the Jasper-Pulaski range that has range distances at 25, 50, 100, and 225 yards (plus shotgun). There's the Willow Slough range that has range distances at 15 (single station), 25, 50, and 100 yards (plus shotgun). They are all quite a drive from your location and would require a day trip (only open Wed-Sun). However, they are free (first come first served), you can stay all day (0800-1600) and you will meet good people that love to shoot.

The J-P range doesn't have any covered firing positions but does have some very crude (rough) firing benches. The firing line has some gravel and stone covering it (pretty decent for firing prone). The target holders are chicken wire strung between wooden posts. The parking lot is paved and you can back up your vehicle right to the firing area. There's also a port-a-john available. There's no ranger hut/shed and you will more than likely be left alone unless the DNR officer drives by to check and make sure no one is being stupid.

The WS range has a concrete firing line (with a curb that might prevent firing from the prone position) and nicer shooting benches that are sufficiently covered. There are fine gravel walkways to the target holders which consist of metal uprights (like stop sign posts) with chicken wire strung between them. Like J-P, you can back your vehicle right to your firing position. There is a ranger hut that is usually occupied and they keep a tight leash on the safety rules (there's is a hot zone rule while changing targets). There's a port-a-john as well.

For the really curious that want to “see” on Google Earth or Virtual Earth:
Willow Slough: 41° 01' 25'' North and 87° 30' 18'' West
Jasper-Pulaski: 41° 08' 11'' North and 86° 58' 00'' West

Initiate Joined: May 29, 2007 Posts: 30

In your experience how busy are these places? I would hate to make a drive to have it full.

Newbie Joined: Feb 20, 2006 Posts: 11

I have been there a limited number of times on the weekend. From what I recall, the ranges got crowded as the day wore on and afternoons were fairly busy.

The ranges that seem to be available the most are usually the 225 and 100 yard distances. I suppose everyone is afraid to shoot that far or the level of discipline required to hit good groups at that range detracts from the fun. Anyway, if you get there at opening time, you will almost certainly get your choice of range. However, like I said, as the day wears on more people show up and you might have to wait for a shooting position if you want to change distance. If you are only bringing one type of firearm and you intend to stay at one distance, you are set for the day. If you intend to change distance or you bring a handgun for the 25 yard range, you might have to wait if you didn't start off there.

Weekdays are the best time. In my experience, I have never had to wait for a shooting position and quite often, I have been the only shooter at a range (usually the 225 and 100 yard) for as long as an hour or two. During those times, I've frequently noticed no more than two or three shooters at any given distance range with some ranges unoccupied. The times that have worked the best for me have been mornings on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Fridays are good if you get there in the morning but it gets busier by early afternoon ... sometimes.

No matter when you go, earlier is better. Remember to bring something to eat, water to drink (no alcohol obviously), bug spray and shade. A spotting scope (or good binoculars) will save you long walks to check your targets. A good tarp, blanket, or shooters mat will make prone shooting more enjoyable too. Don't forget tools and a cleaning kit. Remember, depending on your carrier, you will have limited to no cell phone service. For that reason, I never go alone and I also bring a first aid kit capable of handling a gunshot wound ... this is more important at Jasper-Pulaski where there is no permanent ranger hut.

Oh. Almost forgot. Handguns are only allowed on the 25 yard range and only on the 50 yard range if scoped. Not sure about the 100 yard with a scope. Rifle allowed on the 50, 100, 225 yard ranges scoped or unscoped. I'm not sure about the 25 yard range. It might be pistol caliber ammunition only.